Work positioning means for imprinting machines and the like



Jan. 11, 1944. w. B; PAYNE 2,339,188

WORK POSITIONING MEANS FOR IMPRINTING MACHINES AND THE LIKE OriginalFiled July 50, 1940 1N VENT OR.

W L725? 5. PA Y/VE" Patented Jan. 11, 1944 WORK POSITIONING MEANS FORIDIPRINTING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Walter B. Payne, Rochester, N. Y.,assignor to The Todd Company, Inc., Rochester, N. Y., a corporation ofNew York Original application July 30, 1940, Serial No. 348,420. Dividedand this application March 16, 1942, Serial No. 434,838

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in sheet handlin machines and thelike, and is more particularly directed to a sheet imprinting machineprovided with adjustable sheet positioning means adapted to permit ofaccurately locating oversize checks or other documents with relation tothe printing line of the machine.

This application is a division of my co-pending application Serial No.348,420, for Check protecting machine or the like, filed July 30, 1940.While the invention is capable of application to a wide range of sheethandling devices of various kinds, it is peculiarly applicable to amachine known as a check imprinting device and of the character shown inthe aforesaid application.

Machines of this kind are used to imprint the amount or other indicia ona predetermined Part or area of an instrument.

Many business concerns or individuals find it expedient to use difierenttypes of check forms in connection with different phases of theirdisbursement procedure. While the conventional single check may be usedfor certain purposes, larger blanks known as voucher or top stud checkshave come into use for accounts payable and for payroll purposes. Thisinvention is particularly adapted to facilitate the handling of voucherchecks or other oversize sheets; for example, check forms with thedetachable Voucher portion arranged at the top.

The object of this invention is to provide readily adjustable means forpositioning different length sheets accurately with relation to apredetermined operating point of a machine, such as the printing line ofa check imprinting machine. r

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby a small,compact machine of the character mentioned may be so constructed as topermit of its use to print on relatively large checks or other sheets.

With these and other incidental objects in view, the invention includescertain novel features of construction and combination of parts, theessential elements of which are set forth in the appended claims and apreferred embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference tothe drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a check imprinting machine embodying thepreferred form of the invention.

Fig, 2 is a fragmentary sectional plan view taken substantially on theline 2- -2 of Fig. 1, showing certain of the parts in section.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryvertical section taken substantially on the line3-3 of Fig. 2, showing the parts forming the sheet positioning means inone position.

Like parts are indicated by similar reference characters throughout theseveral views.

The present invention provides positioning or stop means whereby arelatively large sheet of paper to be printed upon may be accuratelypositioned'in a machine. The device to which the invention is shownapplied in the drawing is a relatively simple one and is intended onlyto illustrate how the invention may be applied generally to machines,such as check imprinting or other office machines. As will be moreclearly apparent later on, the exact form of the printing couple andmechanism for operatingit is not essential to the invention.

Referring now to the drawing, the illustrated machine is provided with aremovable upper case portion 33 and a base section 34 suitably supportedby main frames II. The frames H are arranged in spaced relation tosupport'the operating mechanism of the machine, and are formed With asheet receiving slot or throat l6 intermediate the upper and lowerportions thereof. The work receiving opening or throat I6 is arranged todirect a check or other sheet placed on the bed surface of the base 34between the members of a printing couple.

The selective type members and platen member of the printing couple areadapted to be moved into cooperative engagement to mark that portion ofa sheet positioned at the printing line of the machine generallyindicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing by the line A--A. The movable typemembers iii! are supported within the casing 33 by the main frames H,and selectively shifted to position a predetermined character at theprinting line by the finger pieces 62. The platen 90 is suitablysupported in the base of the machine and operatively connected in a wellknown manner to the operating handle I30. Upon actuation of the handle[30 in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 1, the platen 90 is movedinto cooperative engagement with the type iiflpositioned at the printingline to impress acheck or other instrument positioned between themembers of the printing couple. Suitable inking means such as a ribbon II0 may be associated with the printing couple.

In order to accommodate sheets substantially larger than conventionalshort check forms and the like, the casing and frames of the machine areprovided with the circular opening I! pro.

viding a clearance across the machine. The work receiving slot l6 entersthe clearance I? in an approximately tangential direction. A guide orshield plate 23 is shaped to substantiall conform to the outline of theopening I? and arranged to extend between and has its ends supported bythe side frames II. The edges of the plate or shell 23 do not overlapbut are spaced apart to form an opening positioned in alignment with thereceiving slot I6. The spring of the shell 23 serves to retain it inposition within the circular opening ll. Spaced deflections 23aareformed inward of the shell 23 and are adapted to be engaged by theleading edge of a sheet. As the leading edge of a sheet enters theopening 11 it engages portions 230. rather than the flat wall of theguide 23 thereby eliminating friction that may otherwise retard theadvance of the form.

To facilitate accurately positioning a voucher check or other largesheet, the present improvement contemplates the provision of sheet stopmeansarranged in association with the cylindrical opening ll. This meansincludes stop fingers l9 mounted for angular adjustment about the axisof the cylindrical clearance opening. The stop members or fingers I9 aremounted on plates 22 detachably secured to each of the side frames H bythe screws and the cross rod 2!. Each guide plate 22 is provided withoffset circular portion 24 arranged concentrically of the cylindricalclearance opening ll. However, the circular portions 24 are of asomewhat smaller diameter than the opening 11 or the shell 23.Therefore, a

space or slot-like opening 25 is formed between the periphery of theplate 24 and the inside wall of shell 23 positioned within the openingll. This slot-like opening 25 forms a curved extension of the receivingslot I6 so that the end of a relatively longsheet readily enters same.

It is clear, as so far. described, that if a sheet is advanced intothemachine through the receiving slot: Hi, the tangential relation of theslot l6 and the clearance opening I! will cause the edge of thepaper tocurl and follow the path of the slot-like opening. 25. The leading edgeof the sheet so inserted in the machine will advance until it strikesthe stop fingers l9. As hereinafter described, the stops are adapted tobe set with relation to the printing line of the machine to vary theimprinting point in one direction. A wide sheet might be inserted inthis way and adjusted laterally of the machine so as to imprint at adesired point.

The stop fingerslS are formed of projecting side arms of. a U-shape yokemember 25 supported for angular adjustment about an axis passing throughthe center of the cylindrical clearance H. The circular portions 24 ofthe plates 22 arranged concentrically of the clearance ll are providedwith central openings for the reception of the supportsfor the yoke 26.An adjusting knob 21 fixed to the one arm of the yoke 26 is providedwith a reduced shank 28.

mounted in the central opening of the portion 23 of the plate 22 on theleft side of the machine as viewed in Fig. 2. A knob. 36 has a reducedthreaded. portion 3! which passes through the centralopening of theplate 22 on the right side of the machine and is threaded into theother. arm of the yoke 26. The knob 21 serves toadjust the yoke 26 tovary the position of the stop members 19 with relation to the printingline of.

the machine. The yoke 26 formed with the sheet positioning stops l9 maybe securely held or resesame leased for adjustment by the manipulationof the knob til having a reduced portion threaded into the side arm ofthe yoke.

As in prior machines of the nature shown in the drawing, theconventional guides E8 are pr0- vided for positioning regular lengthsingle check forms not having detachable stubs. While the stops it areshown by full lines, Figs. 1 and 2, as adjusted to ineffective position,it is to be understood that they may be shifted forward to a positionsuch as shown by the dotted lines to register a regular check with theprinting line of the machine. ii 5y improved arrangement furtherprovides for the sheet positioning or stop means including the guideplates 22 and stops l9 to be readily displaced in the event it isdesired to imprint long continuous forms or strips. The upper case 33 mabe removed from the machine after having been released by the actuationof suitable latch mechanism including th knob After the cover 33 hasbeen lifted from the machine frame, the screw 26 and the split washerson the ends of the cross rods 2i are accessible. The removal of thescrews 29 and the rod 2! releases the guide plates 22, and permits thesheet positioning means to be readily detached from the machine. Thearrangement of. the detachable positioning means allows long continuousstrips or forms to be inserted without interference of the stop memberl9.

It will be clear from the foregoing description that when voucher checksor other relatively large sheets are to be imprinted by the machine, theconventional stop members l8 are shifted to the ineffective positionshown by full lines in Fig. l of the drawing. iii are located to therear of the cylindrical clearance ii and entirely out of the ath of asheet. Therefore, the stop fingers it of the yoke 26 are adapted toserve to position sheets of sufiicient length to enter the curvedportion of the receiving slot of the machine. The stop members l9disposed the path of the sheet are angularly' adjusted about the centerof the axis of the opening ll and with relation to the curved extension25 of the slot Hi to properly position a sheet. The stop members iii areadjusted by the knob 21 with relation to the curved extension 25 of theslot it so as to permit of accurately positioning a sheet relative to anoperating or printing point of the machine. After he stop elements l9are adjusted to register a desired portion of a voucher check or thelike with the printing line of the machine, the knob 353 is tightened tohold the stops in a predetermined position. The arrange.- ment includingthe removable plates 22 supporting the angularly adjustable stops l9materially widens the range of sheet sizes adapted to; be

accurately positioned in a device of the character mentioned.

The present arrangement. providing the slotlike formation and the curvedextension of the slot It causes the forward end of a sheet'to follow acircular path when inserted. Thisis due to the guide portions 2 1 of theplates 22 and the shell which form the side Walls of the slot-likeformation25. These side walls of. the curved slot or guideway direct thesheet in its path of advance so as to avoid any buckle or bulge thereoflikely to throw the portion of the sheet to be printed upon out ofregister with the printing line of the machine. Obviously, any buckle orbulge of the sheet would throw the sheet out of alignment even thoughthe stops 19" may be properly set for a sheet havinga prel'n thisposition, the stops.

determined length from the top to the bottom edges.

On account of the repeated handlings to which checks and otherinstruments are subjected in the normal course of business, they aremade of relatively firm paper stock. Therefore, if such a form isinserted and flexed under tension about a curved surface or otherformation there is a natural tendency for it to straighten out whenreleased. Because of this characteristic of paper used for most checksit has heretofore been difficult to properly position and retain a formin a machine having circular sheet receiving openings. However, in theuse of my improved arrangement, the top or leading edge of a sheetpassing about the curved portion of the slot-like formation 25 engagesthe Wall of the shell 23. At the same time another portion of the sheetadjacent the top edge engages the periphery of the curved portions 24 ofthe guide plates 22. It has been found that the friction created by theengagement of a portion of the sheet adjacent its end with the surface24 of the plates 22 is sufficient to hold the sheet in position.Therefore, after the sheet has been advanced through the curvedformation 25 to engage the stop l9, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig.3 and indicated by the letter S, it may be released without fear of anysubstantial shifting. However, if the friction surface 2:1 were notprovided, the sheet engaging the stop it under tension and then beingreleased would have a tendency to straighten out with the resultantshift or displacement thereof with relation to the stop I9 and theprinting line of the machine.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to beunderstood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number ofways. This application is therefore not to be limited to the precisedetails described but is intended to-cover all variations andmodifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention orscope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention.

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with members ofa printing couple, of a housing having a circular work receivingclearance opening and an externally opening work receiving slottangentially entering said circular clearance opening, guide platesmounted on opposite sides of said housing, each of said guide plateshaving a circular portion arranged concentrically of said circularopening but being of a smaller diameter so as to form one wall of acircular extension of the work receiving slot,

and spaced work stop members mounted on said plates for angularadjustment about an axis passing through the center of the circularportion of said guide plates.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a printingcouple, of a housing having a cylindrical work receiving opening on oneside of the printing couple and a work receiving slot to direct the workbetween the members of the printing couple tangentially entering saidcylindrical opening, guide plates mounted on each side of said housing,each of said guide plates having a circular portion arrangedconcentrically of said cylindrical opening but being of a smallerdiameter so as to form one wall of a curved extension of said receivingslot, spaced normally stationary stop members adjustably mounted on saidplates and being adapted to be engaged by the leading edge of the workto position the line thereof to be printed upon with relation to saidprinting couple, said stop members mounted for rotation and movementaxially about the axis of the circular portion of said guide plates,means for adjusting said stop members, and means for locking saidmembers against movement from a predetermined adjusted position. b

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a printingcouple, of a housing having a cylindrical work receiving opening and awork receiving slot tangentially entering said opening, guide platesdetachably mounted on opposite sides of said housing, each of said guideplates having a circular portion arranged concentrically of saidcylindrical opening but being of a smaller diameter so that thearrangement forms a curved extension of said receiving slot, anadjustable yoke member mounted on said guide plates for angular movementabout the central axis of the circular portion of said guide plates,said yoke member provided with extending portions projecting beyond theperiphery of said circular portions of said guide plates, said extendingportions being adapted to serve as limiting stops for the work as itadvances through the curved portion of said receiving slot, andreleasable means for normally holding said yoke member against movement.

4. A sheet guide and positioning means for a printing machine or thelike having a casing provided with a sheet receiving slot terminatingwith an enlarged cylindrical closed end portion comprising guide platesdetachably mounted on each side of the machine casing in associationwith the cylindrical portion of the sheet receiving slot, said guideplates having a circular portion arranged concentrically of saidcylindrical portion of the receiving slot but being of a smallerdiameter, a sheet positioning member having its opposite sides mountedon said guide plates for angular adjustment about an axis passingthrough the center of the circular portion of the plates, and releasablemeans for retaining said sheet positioning member in an adjustedposition for engagement by the leading end of the sheet, the arrangementbeing such that upon insertion of a sheet into the machine the leadingend is advanced between the wall of the cylindrical portion of saidreceiving slot and the peripheral edge of the circular portion of saidguide plates for guidance in a predetermined path for cooperation withsaid sheet positioning member so that the part of the sheet to beprinted upon is accurately positioned with relation to the printingcouple of the machine.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a housing, ofa printing couple mounted in said housing, said housing provided with anexternally opening sheet receiving slot having an enlarged cylindricalclosed end portion at one side of said printing couple, of a sheet guideand stop assembly detachably supported on said housing in associationwith the cylindrical portion of said receiving slot, means fordetachably securing said assembly to said housing, said assemblyincluding guide plates supported on each side of said housing and anadjustable sheet positioning member supported by said guide plates, saidguide plates formed with a circular portion arranged concentrically ofthe cylindrical portion of said receiving slot but being of a slightlysmaller diameter than the cylindrical portion of said slot so as toprovide a relatively narrow circular passageway adapted to guide theleading end of the sheet through a predetermined path, said positioningmember mounted on said guide plates for angular movement about an axispassing through the center of the circular portion of the plates, spacedstop fingers on said positioning member arranged to project into thecircular passageway formed between said plates and the cylindricalportion of said receiving slot and adapted to be engaged by the leadingend of a sheet, means for adjusting said positioning member to set saidstop fingers so as to permit of positioning 10 a sheet with relation'tosaid printing couple, and releasable means for normally holding saidpositioning member against displacement, the ar-

